Azurite orbs in granite from Pakistan. (field of view ~9.8 centimeters across)
Blue spots = azurite
Scattered green = malachite
Whitish-gray speckled material = granite
This unusual rock is ordinary granite but has scattered subspherical masses of bluish-colored azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 - copper hydroxy-carbonate). Minor greenish-colored malachite is also present (Cu2CO3(OH)2). The granite is composed of quartz (SiO2), microcline feldspar (KAlSi3O8), albite feldspar (NaAlSi3O8), and mica.
Locality: unrecorded/undisclosed locality in the Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan (but possibly from loose talus near the base of Mount Godwin Austen ("K2 Mountain"), Karakoram Range, northeastern Pakistan)
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Photo gallery of azurite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=447
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Photo gallery of malachite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=2550
